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Explore the impact of ACA reforms on children's coverage and the transition from Healthy Families to Medi-Cal. Learn about enrollment processes, insurance reforms, and challenges. Recommendations for families and policymakers included.
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Overview and Children’s Advocates’ Response ACA and Other Changes Affecting Children Kristen Golden Testa Director, CA Health Program The Children’s Partnership November 1, 2012 www.childrenspartnership.org
Reforms Affecting Children • Exchange coverage • Enrollment system • Insurance reform • State-only programs for kids • Healthy Families transition
Exchange Coverage • Exchange offers insurance • New coverage subsidies below 400% FPL • 144,000 estimated children covered • SHOP coverage
Exchange Coverage Issues • Essential Health Benefits • Dental • Habilitation services (hearing aids?) • Mental health • Children in multiple coverage families • Child only plans • SHOP connection to other coverage
Enrollment System • Streamlining and simplifying • Coordinated among the programs • Challenges: county and state systems • Children in “multiple program” families
Insurance Reform • Guaranteed issue protection for children • Limited premium variability for pre-x • Continued coverage for young adults on parents’ coverage • Governor vetoed guarantee issue protection for all (with premium protection for children)
State-only Programs • CHDP Gateway • GHPP • FamilyPACT • Breast and cervical cancer • Others?
Healthy Families Transition 2012/13 budget eliminated Healthy Families Program (HFP) and transfer all HFP enrollees to Medi-Cal Legislature oversight and a flexible start date, no sooner than January 1, 2013.
Transition Basics • All HFP children transfer to Medi-Cal • Children above 150% FPL income charged premiums • Transition in 2013 over phases based on county health plans comparability to HFP • (CCS is in both programs)
Phases of the Transition • Phase 1 (DHCS timeline: January and March 2013) • Part A counties (208,376 kids): Alameda, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Francisco , Santa Clara, Orange , San Mateo, San Diego • Part B counties (185,714 kids) : Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Tulare, Sacramento, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo • Phase 2 (261,060 kids; After April 1, 2013) • Phase 3 (152,602 kids; After August 1, 2013) • Phase 4 (42,753 kids; After September 1, 2013)
Pro’s and Con’s Pro: • Greater scope of benefits in Medi-Cal • Limited to no copayments Con: • Possible access concerns • Transition might be bumpy • Continuity of care challenges
What Families Should Expect General notice 60- and 30-day notices for Phase 1 90-, 60-, and 30-day notices for Phases 2-4 Medi-Cal welcome packet Benefit Identification Card (BIC) Packet from managed care plan (and dental managed care plan, where relevant)
Transition Issues: Enrollment • Sufficient notice to families about the transfer • Outreach to “first responders” (counties, CAAs, doctors, teachers, etc) • Transitioning children transferred without gaps or having to provide additional information • Not charged premiums if income < 150% • New applicants should all receive AE
Transition Issue: Access • Health plan network adequacy assessment: public review and contingency plans • Direct provider participation survey • Ongoing monitoring • Enforcement of network adequacy and continuity of care
Transition Issue: Performance • HFP Transition performance standards: • Did children transfer without gaps • Were they able to continue care • How did their access compare • Baseline comparison to transition
Taking Action • To CHHS: • Not ready for January 1, more reasonable timeline • Performance measures needed • Plans for improving access and continuity of care • Local feedback on readiness and needs on the ground • To Legislature: • Ensure transition readiness and children can see their doctor/dentist before transition begins.
For More Information TCP’s Website: www.childrenspartnership.org Contact me: Kristen Golden Testa 415-505-1332 ktesta@childrenspartnership.org